SecAF paces the Monster Mile

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The Smithfield Foods Ford driven by Aric Almirola gets a new set of tires and tops-off on fuel during a pit-stop during the 2015 AAA 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway Oct. 4, 2015, in Dover, Del. The Richard Petty Motorsports team is partially sponsored by the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Greg L. Davis)

Racing at speeds in excess of 165 mph in front of tens of thousands of screaming fans and millions more watching on television, there is no other experience quite like a NASCAR race. Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James did not go that fast, but still had an adrenaline pumping experience as she drove three laps around the Monster Mile to kick off the race.

Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, right, rides with NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon in the back of a 2015 Toyota Tundra truck during the driver introduction lap for the 2015 AAA 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Oct. 4, 2015, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. James was the guest of the track and also drove the official pace car to start the race. (U.S. Air Force photo/Greg L. Davis)

Secretary James took part in the AAA 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race by driving the pace car at the start of the race Oct. 4, 2015, at the Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware.

Secretary James was invited to drive the pace car by Mike Tatoian, president and CEO of Dover International Speedway, who wished to increase the Air Force's national exposure. Tatoian, who formerly served as an honorary commander at Dover AFB, is currently serving a four-year term as an Air Force Civic Leader with 29 other distinguished civilians across the U.S.

Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James turns to thank the parents of future Air Force airmen inside the Military Village Expo at the AAA 400 NASCAR race at the Dover International Speedway, Dover, Del., Oct. 4. James was an honored guest at the track and administered the oath of enlistment to over 22 recruits entering the Armed Services, along with meeting members of ?Team Dover?. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Bernie Kale)
Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James recites the oath of enlistment to Air Force recruits prior to the start of the 2015 AAA 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Oct. 4, 2015, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. Secretary James was accompanied by Team Dover leadership as well as leadership from the Delaware National Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia)
Recruits of the Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard recite the oath of enlistment while standing on the track of Dover International Speedway prior to the start of the 2015 AAA 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Oct. 4, 2015. Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James gave the oath alongside Delaware's Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Francis D. Vavala. (U.S. Air Force photo/Greg L. Davis)

"I have been an advocate for the Air Force since I first moved here in 2007," said Tatoian. "Secretary James agreed to come over and spend some time with us on Sunday, we are genuinely honored and privileged to have her and her husband, Frank, here."

Driving the pace car involved Secretary James taking three laps around the mile long track with all 43 stock cars keeping pace behind her at a steady speed until they received the green flag to start the race.

Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James watches the 2015 AAA 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race from inside the #43 Ford Fusion Pit Box Oct. 4, 2015, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. The pit box gave James a bird's eye view of pit road and a headset gave her up-to-date information about the race. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia)

"Throwing out the first pitch at a World Series game, that's pretty cool," Tatoian said. "Personally I think of this from an experience perspective; this is way cooler than that. Because you are literally on the track with the cars behind you, they're following you, everybody's eyes are on you in the pace car and you started the race."

Air Force Reserve recruiters from the 512th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Del., meet Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James while they manned a booth and an AF Reserve recreational vehicle inside the Military Village Expo at the AAA 400 NASCAR race at the Dover International Speedway, Dover, Del., Oct. 4. James was an honored guest at the track and administered the oath of enlistment to over 22 recruits entering the Armed Services, along with meeting members of Team Dover. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Bernie Kale)
Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James speaks with Team Dover aircraft maintainers inside the Military Village Expo at the AAA 400 NASCAR race at the Dover International Speedway, Dover, Del., Oct. 4. James was an honored guest at the track and administered the oath of enlistment to over 22 recruits entering the Armed Services, along with meeting members of Team Dover. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Bernie Kale)

Prior to the start of the race, Secretary James toured the Monster Mile, meeting with drivers, pit crew members and Team Dover Airmen who were taking part in the race weekend.

"She led 43 of the world's fastest NASCAR drivers around the track," said Tatoian. "She also leads the world's best Air Force."